Popular Store Price Matching Policies You Should Know So You Can Save Big

Updated on 11/8/2021 at 2:55 PM

Savvy shoppers may already know this one, but we think everyone should be in on this secret: price matching is one of the best ways to save money while shopping. Many popular stores offer a price-matching guarantee, and you should definitely take advantage of it. Some stores will match the price offered by a competitor, and some will match the price of their own website deals. Price-matching guidelines vary from store to store, so the first thing you need to do is brush up on everyone's policies. Before we get into the nitty gritty details, there's some general information and strategies you should know.

While price matching can be used on any products, you may find the most success with big-ticket items like electronics or home goods. Shop around first to see what prices look like everywhere. This way you're well prepared and can perhaps just buy the best deal to start. However, if you have a loyalty to a store that doesn't have the lowest price but does price match, check that policy and come to the store equipped with proof of a lower price.

Some stores will price match their online prices in stores — this way, you can save on shipping time (and sometimes the cost) and have your item immediately. This can also work vice versa for some stores: a store price can be honored online if you call customer service.

Some stores' policies are good for getting a lower price after you've already bought something. You might be able to get a refund on the difference if you buy something and the price drops within a few days. It's always wise to hold onto your receipt after a purchase (you should hold onto it anyway until the return period is up, just in case), that way you have proof of purchase if you end up needing a price adjustment.

It may take a little extra time to navigate everything that's involved in price matching, but if you're saving money, it's totally worth it. Here are some popular stores' price matching policies to get you started on saving some cash!

Best Buy Price Match Policy

Best Buy price matches for "immediately available" items, which doesn't include refurbished products, clearance, and open-box items. The store will match in-store and online prices for Amazon.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com, HP.com and TigerDirect.com, as well as local competitors. Best Buy also matches online and app prices with in-store prices and vice versa, so you can always be sure you're getting Best Buy's own best deal.

One major callout for what Best Buy will not price match is Black Friday deals. The store doesn't do price matching from the Friday before Thanksgiving day through the Monday following Thanksgiving. It also doesn't include bundle deals or products through the Best Buy Education and Business programs.

Target Price Match Policy

Target's price match guarantee stipulates that you can match the price of a Target product with the store's online deals, other online competitors, or a local print ad for a competitor. The price match must be done within 14 days of the purchase and must be the identical product.

The guarantee states, "If you find a current lower price within 14 days after purchase, just bring in the proof and we will adjust your payment to the lower price, upon request. Target store price matches and adjustments are completed at the store on any lane." Exclusions include flash sales (like you may find on Amazon), clearance, closeout, liquidation, damaged products, refurbished items, and open-box products.

Target Price Match Online Policy

Target's price match policy also applies to online purchases. Target price matches itself with online and in-store prices, but to get an online price match, you have to call Target.com Guest Services. The store is willing to price match online competitors from an approved list, and the product you're price matching has to be identical.

Just like in-store price matching, the online price match must be within 14 days of purchase. Target does not match online competitors for customers and stores in Alaska and Hawaii. Target will also not price match products that are Target Plus Partner items on the website.

Home Depot Price Match Policy

Home Depot's low price guarantee covers online and in-store pre-purchases. For online purchases, Home Depot will price match (including the shipping cost) with online competitors for the identical item if it's currently available and can be shipped immediately. The store will only price match for the customer who originally purchased the product online (and you'll have to verify your identity when you contact Home Depot).

For in-store price matching, Home Depot will match the price of a competitor before you purchase the product (that's what it means by pre-purchases). You'll need to bring the ad or similar verification with you to Home Depot to prove the price, and Home Depot may contact the competitor to verify. Price matching doesn't work on clearance and closeout, customized products, wholesale deals by competitors, seasonal, refurbished, and open-box items.

Walmart Price Match Policy

Walmart stores will price match Walmart.com prices. This does not include third party sellers on Walmart.com. Items online must be identical to the product in store and must currently be available to purchase online.

According to the price match policy online, "Bundle offers, Instant Rebates, Mail-in Offers, Offers that include financing, Advertisements that require a purchase to receive a gift card, Percentage Off, or Buy One Get One Free advertisements without a specified price" are not included. Online pricing must be provided to store employees and the manager on duty will make the final call on any price match requests.

Petco Price Match Policy

Petco's price matching policy currently is not listed on its website, but Redditors have said that it's a bit limited. The store reportedly will price match to its own website, but there may not be more beyond that.

Redditors suggest calling Petco's customer service, or asking to speak with a store manager if you see a price discrepancy between the store and online. It's not completely clear if the store will price match with competitors, so your best bet is to ask on your next visit, or by calling the company's customer service to check for a definitive answer.

Macy's Price Match Policy

While Macy's doesn't technically price match its competitors, it does offer price adjustments. If you purchase something from Macy's and the price decreases within 10 days of your purchase, you can submit a request for a price adjustment and get the difference refunded. You must email the price adjustment request line and provide proof of purchase.

Beyond this, Macy's doesn't price match, not even from online to stores. It notes on its pricing page that Macys.com operates independently from the stores, which is why the company can't match prices from one to the other. So even if you see a deal on Macys.com, you won't necessarily be able to snag that price in a store.

Does Amazon Price Match?

Amazon does not currently offer price matching. On the site, it says, "We constantly compare Amazon's prices to our competitors' prices to make sure that our prices are as low or lower than all relevant competitors. As a result, we don't offer price matching."

Though Amazon used to offer price matching, it stopped a few years ago and instead constantly adjusts prices to stay competitive. Shoppers will usually find a similar price on Amazon as they do at local retailers, and oftentimes Amazon's prices will even be lower than your go-to store. It's not a bad idea to check Amazon frequently for price changes since the company is always adjusting its prices.

What Stores Price Match With Amazon?

Though Amazon won't price match other stores, plenty of stores will price match their own prices with Amazon. Best Buy, Target, Lowe's, Bed Bath and Beyond, Nordstrom, Joann, Kohl's, JC Penney, and Staples are the major stores that generally price match Amazon. One caveat that you should always keep in mind is that the price match policies tend to be a bit murky, especially when it comes to online price matching with Amazon.

Most retailers will only price match for items directly sold by Amazon: nothing by third parties. Also, some of these stores won't price match Amazon, but their own online retailers will. If you want more information on price matching specific stores, it's a good idea to look up each policy, or even contact your local store or online customer service.